New Mayor talks planning

Cr John Chandler has been elected the new Mayor of Stonnington. He was recently asked in the Stonnington Leader about his hopes for Stonnington. We quote:

“That it remains the No. 1 area to live in Melbourne. For planning and development, that means managing the rate of change to the built environment, retaining the older fabric and mixing it where appropriate with suitable and restrained new development that doesn’t overwhelm the liveability of our city.”

He also said: “Planning is the perennial issue in Stonnington. In my view, we are taking more than our fair share of high density development as State Government planning policies allow developers to target Stonnington because of its desirability and profitability. How to effectively deal with this to maintain residential amenity and attractive commercial areas is Council’s ongoing stand-out issue.

To which we say as one: “Amen.”

In a council media release the message from the Mayor said in part: “I look forward to working to achieve a range of positive outcomes for our community. In town planning, we need to campaign for local policy to be given more weight at VCAT, in particular, with regard to our Municipal Strategic Statement that seeks to direct higher density development to nominated main roads in order to protect all other areas from overdevelopment.”

Be sure to catch the new Mayor on Monday January 30 7pm when Council decides the fate of 590 Orrong Road.

This development means traffic gridlock, overflowing train stations and tram stops, no more on-street car parking, a blighted skyline and less privacy for current residents. It will also impinge on adjoining public land. It defies the lowrise local residential style.

This development will set a precedent for further development.

This is a rare opportunity for Stonnington to increase open space, develop a school or a stellar medium density residential development. We do not need another Docklands.

Already we know that Toorak Station is within developers' sites. How long before Hawksburn and Armadale are redeveloped?

Stonnington Council - after much campaigning - refused the permit but developer Lend Lease successfully overturned this decision at VCAT. This VCAT decision is in turn being appealed in the Supreme Court in April 2013.

Our opponent is smart, moneyed, experienced and well connected. We won't win this without your help.

Lend Lease has 'consulted' but never compromised. They entirely underestimated our ability to fight their plan.

Reading this is just the beginning - we need you to work with us to fight the towers.